Marlins' president David Samson said he expects right-hander Juan Carlos Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, to join the team some time during spring training.
But Samson was less certain about Oviedo's chances of opening the season with the team. Oviedo is on the restricted list while he works out immigration issues in the Dominican Republic.
Oviedo was placed on the restricted list in September, right before he admitted to using a fake name, Leo Nunez.
"I hope that things get cleared up and we'd love to have him in camp and getting ready for the season," Samson said Feb. 2.
But Oviedo could face disciplinary action from Major League Baseball because "there was an acknowledged violation of the law" by him, Samson said.
"If you ask me will he be at spring training, my answer would be, 'Probably, yes,'" Samson said.
But even that is not certain. "We have no indication that he's here and has a visa and is coming," Samson said.
The Marlins, who gave Oviedo a $6 million contract, are expected to try to trade him before the season starts.
Miami signed closer Heath Bell to a three-year, $27-million contract in December. Edward Mujica is in line to be the set-up man.
Nunez, who converted a career-high 36 save chances last year, has 92 saves in 117 chances in three seasons with the Marlins. He made $3.65 million in 2011.
